Are you a passionate, experienced professional who champions gender equality and humanitarian action? Do you thrive in complex environments and have a proven track record of supporting impactful programs? If so, then UN Women, a leading global advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment, is seeking a highly motivated UN Women Humanitarian Consultant. This pivotal role provides crucial technical, coordination, and administrative support for our Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) portfolio in Afghanistan.
Why Afghanistan? Why Now?
Afghanistan currently faces, indeed, one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises. As a matter of fact, over half its population—an estimated 24.4 million Afghans—will likely need humanitarian aid in 2022. Crucially, furthermore, women and girls face unique vulnerabilities. Gender inequality, conflict, economic decline, and COVID-19 significantly amplify their challenges. Consequently, and regrettably, the hard-won gains for women’s rights are at risk. This situation, therefore, makes our work more critical than ever.
UN Women’s Humanitarian Work and the WPHF Consultant Role
UN Women has actively worked in Afghanistan since 2002. Initially, of course, our efforts aimed to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality. Building on this strong foundation, we now consolidate our work under a humanitarian-peace-development nexus. Our core focus areas include:
- Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action
- Ending Violence Against Women
- Women’s Economic Empowerment
- Women’s Leadership and Participation
The Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) is, in essence, a vital global partnership. It mobilizes resources to support local women’s organizations. Specifically in Afghanistan, WPHF plays a crucial role. It empowers women-led organizations and strengthens gender-responsive humanitarian action. Thus, and ultimately, it ensures women’s voices are amplified and integral to peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts.
Your Role as a UN Women Humanitarian Consultant
As our UN Women Humanitarian Consultant, you will directly ensure the smooth, efficient implementation of WPHF activities. You will report to the GIHA Programme Manager. Moreover, you’ll work closely with the WPHF Secretariat, grantees, and key partners to:
- Develop and Plan WPHF Initiatives: Help design and plan WPHF-funded programs. To this end, ensure alignment with UN Women’s humanitarian strategy. Also, identify compelling opportunities to strengthen women-led organizations’ leadership in humanitarian action.
- Implement and Coordinate Programs: Support daily program implementation. Track annual workplans and budgets. Additionally, assist in preparing critical donor reports by compiling and analyzing program results.
- Provide Technical and Coordination Support: Serve as a vital link to WPHF grantees. Offer essential technical assistance. Address operational challenges. Furthermore, support capacity-building efforts through training and knowledge-sharing.
- Monitor, Report, and Ensure Compliance: Track grantee progress by reviewing narrative and financial reports. Organize vital field monitoring visits. Then, subsequently, contribute to comprehensive reports that highlight the significant impact of our work.
- Contribute to Knowledge Management and Communication: Document valuable lessons learned and promising practices from WPHF-funded projects. Support crucial advocacy and visibility events. Finally, and most importantly, help develop compelling communication products.
- Other Essential Tasks: Provide additional support as needed for the quality implementation of WPHF and UN Women’s humanitarian programming.
Please note, this is a home-based consultancy. However, given the nature of the role, your invaluable contributions will necessitate regular missions to Kabul. These trips facilitate in-person coordination with stakeholders and cover other related tasks outlined in the Terms of Reference. Your working hours will align with Afghanistan time (Sunday – Thursday, 9:00 – 17:00 Kabul time).
Who We Are Looking For: Your Profile as a UN Women Humanitarian Consultant
You are a results-oriented professional with:
- A Master’s degree (or a first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience) in social sciences, human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development, or a related field. A project/programme management certification is an added advantage.
- At least 2 years of progressively responsible work experience in development program/project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, and capacity building.
- Experience working in humanitarian settings and understanding humanitarian coordination mechanisms are strong assets.
- Experience implementing gender in humanitarian action projects is highly desirable.
- Prior experience working with women-led and local organizations is a significant advantage.
- Fluency in English is required. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that knowledge of Dari or Pashto is a distinct asset.
Our Core Values and Competencies
At UN Women, we are deeply committed to:
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Respect for Diversity
In addition to these core values, we highly value:
- Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
- Accountability
- Creative Problem Solving
- Effective Communication
- Inclusive Collaboration
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Leading by Example
You can learn more about UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework here.
Diversity and Inclusion
UN Women dedicates itself to fostering a diverse, inclusive environment of mutual respect. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Ultimately, therefore, all employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need. If you require any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
It‘s critically important to know that UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women. This includes sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. Therefore, as a direct consequence, all selected candidates must adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel. Consequently, they will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Ready to contribute to a world where gender equality is a reality? Apply now and become part of our vital mission in Afghanistan!
Apply now: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/25738
